Hidden in Plain Sight- Art Quilts

I wanted to share with you the results of the latest challenge for the quilters in my guild. Every year a committee puts together a special challenge that has specific requirements but lots of opportunity for creativity. I really wanted to do this challenge but in the end could not meet the deadline with my busy summer of weddings.  I greatly enjoyed the "reveal" of the talents of those who did create something and I think you will too. The diversity of ideas was amazing and inspiring.

The challenge was called "Hidden in Plain Sight." Everyone was given a seven inch square of this piece of fabric and was required to use at least one inch of it somewhere in their creation. The finished art quilt wall hangings were to be 20 inches square and of any design or technique.

The finished designs were hung at the guild's August meeting without the names of their makers so that the members could vote on their favorite and also on their choice for the best use of the challenge fabric. 

 Here are close-ups of some of my favorite entries-  (Can you find the challenge fabric in each?)

Notice that this quilter replicated the print of the challenge fabric by weaving torn strips of same colored fabrics together. I thought this was incredibly thoughtful!

Notice the book titles

 

This won the popular vote as the favorite.

This won the vote for best use of the challenge fabric. Look closely, that fabric makes the "cherries" or "blossoms" in the tree. 

Which is your favorite?